Anfang

As Printed on a Score

Printed inside directions that refer back to the opening — “Wie zu Anfang”, “Tempo wie im Anfang”, “etwas flüssiger als zu Anfang” — setting a tempo or character by reference. The reader has to look back to the beginning to know what is meant.

How Composers Use It

Referring to the beginning is an efficient way to restore or compare a tempo: wie zu Anfang works like Tempo I, while comparisons (flüssiger als zu Anfang) adjust relative to a known reference. Make sure the opening tempo is clearly fixed, ideally with a metronome mark, so the reference is unambiguous.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, fourth movement (Adagietto), harp staff, m. 10: “(etwas flüssiger als zu Anfang.)” — a little more flowing than at the start — beside “Nicht schleppen.”

Related Terms